Chinese switch rods, any review ?

[ben664]

Hi guys;

I'm looking for a backup rod (have a Redington Dually) for my next spey trout trip in Spain this Fall.

Any review on this guy ?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Maximumcatch-6WT-7WT-Switch-Fly-Rod-11FT-Fly-Fishing-Rod-With-Switchable-Fighting-Butts-with-Cordura/32771569101.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10208_10065_10151_10068_10305_10304_10306_10136_10137_10060_10302_10155_10062_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100031_10099_10103_10102_10096_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10177_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10182_10184_10078_10079_10073_10123_10189_142,searchweb201603_50,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=5a73f56a-2be8-474b-bbee-70703dadfe9d&algo_expid=1de9bf02-dd0c-462f-9015-7c00280d2544-0&algo_pvid=1de9bf02-dd0c-462f-9015-7c00280d2544

I think the quality is quite good (80% of the fly rods are made in China) but what size I have to choose ? I'de like to put a 275/300 gran fly line like the OPST Commando Skagit and a T8 or T10 Mow tip on it. Should I go with 4 or 5 wt ?

One more question, the head lenght of 10 or 12' is nice for this kind of rod ?

Thanks

 

[jayr]

Hi guys;

I'm looking for a backup rod (have a Redington Dually) for my next spey trout trip in Spain this Fall.

Any review on this guy ?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Maximumcatch-6WT-7WT-Switch-Fly-Rod-11FT-Fly-Fishing-Rod-With-Switchable-Fighting-Butts-with-Cordura/32771569101.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10208_10065_10151_10068_10305_10304_10306_10136_10137_10060_10302_10155_10062_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100031_10099_10103_10102_10096_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10177_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10182_10184_10078_10079_10073_10123_10189_142,searchweb201603_50,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=5a73f56a-2be8-474b-bbee-70703dadfe9d&algo_expid=1de9bf02-dd0c-462f-9015-7c00280d2544-0&algo_pvid=1de9bf02-dd0c-462f-9015-7c00280d2544

I think the quality is quite good (80% of the fly rods are made in China) but what size I have to choose ? I'de like to put a 275/300 gran fly line like the OPST Commando Skagit and a T8 or T10 Mow tip on it. Should I go with 4 or 5 wt ?

One more question, the head lenght of 10 or 12' is nice for this kind of rod ?

Thanks

That maker sells a lot of rods on eBay. I have heard from at least 2 or 3 (maybe more) and all had nothing good to say about them. Some even had them break on the first outing. Customer service was non existent.

Personally. I wouldn't waste my money. Even as a backup rod.

 

[desmobob]

I'd like to revive this old thread for more information, if possible.

I currently have a selection of mid- to high-end rods, from 2wt to 11wt; mostly Orivs, along with a TFO BVK, a Ross, and a couple of rods built on Loomis and PacBay blanks.

I'm also a bass fisherman and have a large selection of similar quality bass casting rods. I tried a Japanese-Domestic-Market rod a few years ago and was very impressed. It was in the $200 range and definitely performed as well or better than similar US domestic market rods. The fit and finish is also fantastic.

Since I had such great luck with this rod, I decided to try a couple of rods from Chinese vendors on AliExpress. As the OP mentioned, a large percentage of our domestic market rods are built in China so I figured I might find a bargain by cutting out the middleman. The rods I tried were in the $100-$150 range and perform and look way above that level. So... I decided to take a chance and order one of Maximumcatch's higher-end fly rods. It's a 9' 6wt billed as using a nano IM12 blank. $150. It is currently en route. I will certainly post my opinions on the rod when I fish it.

I know it's a **** shoot, but the two other Chinese bass casting rods I bought turned out to be an incredible value. On the other hand, I bought these two rods (Kuying Teton and Tsurinoya ProFlex II) based on very favorable Internet reviews. I could find no reviews of the Maxcatch fly rods other than the generally positive reviews on Amazon, which seem to be mostly written by entry-level fishermen.

Does anyone have any personal experience with the higher-end Maxcatch rods by Maximumcatch?

Thanks for any information,
Bob

 

[desmobob]

Just a quick follow-up...

I received my MaximumCatch "Nano" 9' 6wt rod today. Fit and finish is very good/excellent and the rod casts very well. I mostly use a 6wt for float tube fishing for various species. My only other 6wt is an old 9' Orvis HLS. This new Nano, at $167, feels like a step above my old HLS rod. It really shoots line.

They included a free WF6F line with the rod but I have not rigged it and tried it yet. I used a WF6F RIO Grand (7wt by AAFTA standards) to cast the rod in the yard and was very pleased with the way it handled over-lined. I'll be interested to see how it does with a proper 6wt line and will do more casting when the weather permits (soon!).

Tight lines,
Bob

 

[Lewis Chessman]

Thanks for the update, Bob. I'll be interested if you write again after a few outings and have tried a few lines, caught a few fish. I have a strong feeling that we won't bat an eyelid buying direct from China in a few years time, it will become the norm to do so for many bargain hunters.

I'm actually looking at some cheap Chinese rods thinking, ''Well, that reel seat would cost me £15 min., the eyes another £20+ .... and they're selling the whole for £35 .... If the blank's rubbish I could strip it down to rebuild on a better blank and still save money on the hardware." Crazy, really, but that's where we are these days.

Keep an eye on the UK FFF if you aren't already, we often have threads on Far East imports as well. Your log in details here work there, too.